Mullets hook points at Pagham - the Lions make Wick wilt

The Mullets hooked all three points at Nyetimber Lane with a 2-1 SCFL premier win over hosts Pagham.

After an awful start to the league season Richard Towers’ Arundel recorded their second victory in a row, while the Lions’ resurgence came to an end.

Pagham’s David Crouch sent the ball Callum Overton’s way, only for the chance to go begging. Arundel’s Lewis Jenkins went on a meandering run but Ryan Davidson cleared the threat.

Lee Mottershead tried his luck for the visitors, a snapshot going well wide.

A corner to the Mullets took a wicked deflection in the wind and Alex Briggs was there to steerthe ball home after eight minutes. It was almost 2-0 a minute later as Josh Briggs went close to heading in.

Johan Van Driel’s fine work in midfield put Terrell Lewis through for Pagham, only for a foul on Arundel keeper Lewis Boughton to end the move.

Goal number two came on 24 minutes, a superb long-range shot from Dion Jarvis rocketing into the net to double the Mullets’ lead.

A couple of minutes later a super reaction save from James Binfield saved further embarrasment for the Lions.

A booking for Ryan Davidson on 33 minutes after a foul on Hayden Briggs seemed harsh.

Briggs muscled his way through and struck a shot which Binfield did well to hold. On 39 minutes, Pagham’s Lewis and Arundel’s Lewis Jenkins saw yellow for a minor tussle.

Two chances came for the Lions as the first half ebbed away – Overton got into the area but couldn’t finish then Lewis shot across goal.

The second half started with Joe Kilhams replacing Lewis on the wing. Van Driel was replaced by George Bingham.

On 50 minutes, Overton unselfishly fed Crouch, who made no mistake from short range.

Daryl Wollers’ shot a few minutes later was off target before Davidson went in hard but escaped a red card.

Pagham kept up the pressure, with Bingham and Kilhams having chances. Neil Murfin was replaced by Cody as Richie Hellen and Tom Simmonds rang the changes.

This triggered a period of superiority for Pagham as they hit the post and looked likely to score. Crouch had the ball in the net on 77 minutes, but was denied by the offside flag.

Overton headed across goal and Crouch shot narrowly over.

A booking for Arundel’s Jordan Dudas with five minutes to go after a poor challenge on James Horncastle gave the Lions another chance but the free-kick went awry.

A superb Boughton save kept the Lions at bay from a corner. Minutes later, he was lucky not to be booked for timewasting. Despite an extraordinary amount of time added on, the Lions fell to an unexpected defeat.